Staff capacity

Parkville College students represent some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in the state. Neglect, physical trauma, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol use, psychological trauma, mental illness and cultural trauma, have characterised most of their lives. As a result, there is a substantial risk to our teachers and staff of vicarious and cumulative trauma.

Trauma-informed practice

The impact of chaotic and threatening experiences on the developing brain impairs the normal function of the neural system. In turn this compromises a young person’s functional capabilities and social development. ‘Repetitive intervention with trustworthy teachers, through nurturing interactions can be the most effective reparation for maltreated and traumatised children’, (Perry, 2006).

When working with traumatised students, our teachers and staff experience compassion fatigue with a range of physical, psychological, cognitive and spiritual symptoms, including deep exhaustion.

Vicarious trauma is another related risk whereby our staff experience psychological symptoms, such as loss of hope, overidentification with or depersonalisation of clients, after hearing repeated stories of trauma.

Mitigating these dangers is the opportunity to experience compassion satisfaction, where workers can feel immense satisfaction about doing their job well. Many may also feel vicarious resilience, whereby they are able to reframe and cope with their own life challenges as a result of hearing about other’s stories.

Our therapeutic education model

The Parkville College therapeutic education model seeks to apply theoretical models to staff and student development and growth. The Parkville College model draws together ideas from the Attachment Theory (Bowlby, 1958), the neurosequential model of therapeutics (Perry, 2006), and person-centred therapy theory (Rogers, 1940).

The effectiveness of this model requires developing and retaining staff that are able to provide consistent, safe and emotionally regulated relationships to our students, which means developing a sustainable team of teachers and staff who are psychologically healthy.

Staff Capacity Program‘Compassion fatigue, also called vicarious traumatisation, is the emotional strain of exposure towering with those suffering the consequences of traumatic events, (Figley, 1995).

The Staff Capacity Team sits within a school wide model and culture, that privileges human relationships for healing and transformation. The Staff Capacity Program attempts to mitigate the risk of vicarious, cumulative and primary trauma, by providing a trauma-informed therapeutic education model that guides our approach with all staff.

Clinical supervision

Given the nature of our workplace, self-care for our staff is of the utmost importance. The Staff Capacity Program aims to facilitate and celebrate staff growth, reflection and learning. It encompasses reflective group and individual supervision, staff development and critical incident stress management. Parkville College works towards developing and maintaining a strong sense of wellbeing, for teachers and students alike. This is achieved by providing our staff with both regular pre-emptive support and responsive support.

Pre-emptive support

Through fortnightly supervision sessions, Parkville College staff are encouraged to reflect on their recent experiences, personal wellbeing and their ability to self-regulate. Furthermore, there are both one-on-one sessions and group supervision available for all staff to attend. Together with qualified psychologists, teachers are able to develop insights regarding vicarious trauma and compassionate fatigue, and its effects on teaching and our workplace.

Critical incident support

When a critical incident occurs, all staff are given the opportunity to immediately debrief and defuse an acute psychological trauma, with access to confidential one on one counseling service. Assistance is provided for staff to understand and clarify concerning issues, and identify, explore and plan constructive solutions.

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Our philosophy

At Parkville College, students are diligently supported by a team of dedicated teaching staff, who work towards the full development of the human personality. We assist our students to develop whilst detained, to enable them to reintegrate into society. We don’t expect individuals on leaving detention to have miraculously transformed, without showing them alternate ways of viewing the world.

Our values

Studies suggest that not only do students tend to match the expectations laid out for them, but also they are reasonably accurate in perceiving the extent to which teachers favour some students over others. People don’t come in one standard shape or size, and their minds don’t either. At Parkville College, we believe in inclusive education, and that to be excluded is to be disempowered.